Arab League meets in Riyadh in first summit since US recognition of Jerusalem

Leaders of the Arab League’s member nations will meet today in Riyadh, primarily to discuss the ongoing Israel-Palestine dispute and Palestine’s UN status. Today’s meeting is the bloc’s first since President Donald Trump’s controversial recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital that drew the ire of Arab nations. The UN voted overwhelmingly against Trump’s decision.

In February, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas addressed the UN Security Council in hopes of having Palestine admitted as a full member. The UN made no move in this direction though, especially with the US likely to veto any future Palestinian membership resolution. However, the UN remains committed to the two-state solution for Israel and Palestine that would theoretically grant the Palestinian Authority more autonomy.

Expect the Arab League to call for international recognition of a Palestinian state, a move that would bolster the Palestinian case for UN membership. The bloc will likely rebuke Israel’s management of the Palestinian Authority and claim East Jerusalem as Palestine’s capital. The US could respond with further pro-Israel measures, lobbying for Israel’s bid as a rotating Security Council member. This all sets up a continued tit-for-tat escalation of tensions between the Arab League and the US.